Jump to a section: Mission Statement, Student Exit Standards, Vision Statement, Principles, Board of Education Mission Statement

District Mission Statement:
Empower each individual to make responsible choices, meet challenges, achieve personal success and contribute to a global society.

Student Exit Standards:

Empowered students are:
EDUCATED INDIVIDUALS who, through knowledge and understanding of the disciplines of learning, can function effectively and pursue future educational and vocational choices.
INDEPENDENT THINKERS who identify, access and integrate resources and information to reason creatively and critically, make decisions and solve complex problems.
COMMUNICATORS who use a variety of skills to convey, receive and exchange information, thought and feelings clearly and effectively.
TECHNOLOGICALLY LITERATE INDIVIDUALS who select and apply appropriate tools and methods for problem solving and self-expression.
AESTHETICALLY SENSITIVE INDIVIDUALS who prize beauty and creativity in all areas of life.
SELF-DIRECTED INDIVIDUALS who strive for excellence, have positive visions for their futures, work toward these visions, and assume responsibility for their actions.
ENTERPRISING INDIVIDUALS who demonstrate self-confidence, commitment, responsibility, initiative, risk-taking and resilience.
TEAM MEMBERS who demonstrate collaborative skills in leading and supporting diverse groups to accomplish tasks.
RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS who respect self and others, establish positive, caring relationships, value diversity and contribute to the welfare of society.
LIFETIME LEARNERS who value and accept learning as a continuing and dynamic process affecting all aspects of life.

to top

Vision Statement:

THE NISKAYUNA CENTRAL SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION'S vision is to facilitate the exploration of old and new knowledge in learning environments that are safe and comfortable for all. Together with home and community, we are proud of a commitment to excellence and to being one of the most innovative, effective and respected public educational institutions.

We believe in the following principles:

Students:
Students should be happy and engaged.
Students of all abilities should be understood and treated with equity and fairness.
Our schools should provide significant academic challenge for every student.
Measures of achievement should be defined.
All students need to be actively engaged in their learning.
Our students should understand the practical applications of their learning.
All students need to know that there is an adult in their school who knows and cares about them.

Teachers:
Great teachers are at the heart of a great school district.
Teachers need to know their subjects and how to teach those subjects to students.
Our teaching should reflect best practice based upon research and oriented toward results.
Teachers need to utilize appropriate subjective and objective assessment techniques.
Sharing by and within our professional learning community is essential.
Great teachers are those who are continually learning.

All Staff:
It is important to communicate high expectations for all.
All district employees need to be provided the necessary resources to perform their functions within the district.
Sustained professional development opportunities must always be provided.

Leadership:
Great leadership must have a vision and a plan to realize that vision.
Leaders need to be facilitators who consistently demonstrate honestly, integrity, and openness, and are models of high expectations and hard work.
Leaders are committed to inclusiveness and diversity.

Facilities and Resources:
Our buildings need to be designed around learning and teaching.
Neighborhood elementary schools with small class sizes should be maintained.
We must maintain the confidence of the community in the financial management of our district.
We must plan for, allocate and utilize resources wisely.
There must be efficiency as well as provision of resources in order to facilitate growth and innovation.

to top

Board of Education Mission Statement:

In order to keep our school district moving forward, we will promote and support a district that encourages critical thinking, and that is thoughtful and deliberate. We will cultivate an appreciation of beauty and receptivity to humane feeling. We will consider our students first in everything, and will provide and utilize resources to keep the focus on the individual needs and potential of each and every student in Niskayuna. We are committed to always improving, and therefore will demonstrate openness to new ideas.

We are committed to the physical, emotional and social well-being of every individual who is a part of our learning community. We recognize that our human resources are our most valuable asset. We will foster the values and principles of our democratic society; encourage personal involvement, responsible citizenship, self respect and respect for others. With active partnerships connecting and promoting school, family, and community, we will provide our students with the best educational opportunities and experiences possible.

-Board of Education
Niskayuna Central School District
November, 2003

to top